With global demand for air travel climbing steadily, airports worldwide are working to keep pace. In many regions, this means expanding runways, upgrading terminals and introducing smarter, more efficient passenger services. But in a few locations, the ambitions go beyond refurbishment, with entirely new airports preparing to serve passengers. In this feature, we take a closer look at some of the major facilities expected to open their doors in 2025 and 2026.
Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI), Australia
Scheduled to welcome its first passengers in late 2026, Western Sydney International (NancyBird Walton) Airport (WSI) will serve as a second major international gateway for Greater Sydney.
The airport is located in the suburb of Badgerys Creek, around 44 kilometres from Sydney’s city centre. WSI will provide much-needed additional capacity to meet increasing aviation demand in the Sydney Basin, which is expected to double between 2019 and 2050. In fact, the airport is expected to be the catalyst for a 25% increase in peak time slots for the Sydney aviation market.
The airport is anticipating strong demand from Western Sydney’s communities who regularly visit family and friends overseas – most notably the large diasporas of Indian, Chinese, Thai, New Zealand and Pacific Islander, Vietnamese, European and Middle Eastern residents.
WSI will open with capacity to manage 10 million annual passengers and will feature a single 3.7-kilometre runway, capable of handling the largest commercial aircraft, along with a terminal designed for efficiency and ease of movement. Built to enable future expansion, the facility incorporates sustainable design features, streamlined security processes, and connections to new road and rail networks, aiming to provide a modern and accessible travel experience.
Navi Mumbai International Airport, India
Set to begin operations in September 2025, Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI) will become the Mumbai metropolitan region’s second major air hub, easing congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM).
Located in Panvel, around 35 kilometres from central Mumbai, the new facility is being developed in phases to meet the area’s rapidly growing passenger and cargo demand. Domestic flights are expected to commence after the planned opening in September, with international services following a few months later.
The first phase will feature a single runway and passenger terminal with capacity for up to 20 million passengers annually. Designed with a straightforward layout to improve wayfinding, the terminal will integrate road, rail and metro connections for better access.
Future phases will add a second runway and expanded terminal space, targeting up to 90 million passengers per year.
Long Thanh International Airport, Vietnam
Long Thanh International Airport is scheduled to open in late 2026. It is located approximately 40km east of Ho Chi Minh City in Dong Nai Province, and is poised to become Vietnam’s largest aviation hub.
The first phase of development, representing an investment of over 4.6 billion USD, includes a 4,000-metre runway, a passenger terminal with an annual capacity of 25 million passengers, and supporting facilities.
The airport is being developed in three phases:
- Phase 1 (2026): Completion of the first runway, terminal and supporting infrastructure, with a capacity of 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually
- Phase 2 (2030): Addition of a second runway and terminal, increasing capacity to 50 million passengers and 1.5 million tonnes of cargo per year
- Phase 3 (2050): Expansion to four runways and four terminals, reaching a full capacity of 100 million passengers and 5 million tonnes of cargo annually
This new facility aims to alleviate congestion at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). The development is also expected to generate significant economic benefits.
Dholera International Airport, India
Dholera International Airport, located in the Dholera Special Investment Region of Gujarat, is scheduled to commence its first operations in December 2025. This new airport is being developed in phases to meet the growing demand for air travel in the region.
Phase 1 includes the development of a single runway and passenger terminal, with a capacity to handle up to 12 million passengers annually. Phase 2 will later expand the airport to include additional airside and terminal facilities, increasing capacity to 30 million passengers per year.
The airport is strategically located to support the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing connectivity and economic development in the region. Alongside serving passenger traffic, the airport is also expected to boost air freight logistics for the industries in the region.
This article was originally published in the Airport Industry-News magazine.
